What to Do When a Spouse is Delaying the Divorce Process

Rarely an easy journey, Florida divorces can become even more difficult when a spouse actively delays the process. Should you be in a situation where you believe your spouse is dragging their heels, share your concerns with a West Palm Beach family attorney. Legal professionals are available to discuss strategies to get the process back on a timely track so you can regain control and move forward with your life.

Common Ways a Spouse May Delay a Divorce

A spouse who wants to slow down the divorce process has a variety of tactics at their disposal.

• Refusing to respond. A spouse may simply ignore court summons, requests, or other legal paperwork, forcing repeated attempts and delaying the case.
• Rescheduling meetings and court dates. Some people repeatedly request extensions, postpone hearings, or find reasons to cancel scheduled dates, drawing out the proceedings.
• Stalling negotiations. Not cooperating or compromising in divorce negotiations, such as by rejecting reasonable offers, can cause delays.
• Unnecessary arguments. An individual might create needless disputes over minor details or file multiple, often unnecessary, motions to create a backlog of paperwork and delay resolution.
• Failing to provide financial documents. Divorce requires disclosure of financial information, but a spouse who wants to delay the process may withhold, hide, or inaccurately report their assets and income.

While every situation is unique, there are several common reasons why a spouse might intentionally delay a divorce. For instance, if a spouse is financially dependent on the other, they may prolong the process to continue receiving shared household funds or health insurance.

In other cases, a spouse may not be emotionally ready to move on and may see dragging out the divorce process as a way to avoid finalizing the end of the marriage. Or stalling tactics may be a strategic way to gain leverage, especially if they think they can negotiate more favorable terms by prolonging the process. And, unfortunately, some people simply want to make the divorce more challenging for their spouse as a form of retaliation or punishment.

How to Move Forward if Your Spouse is Stalling 

While delays can be frustrating, there are ways to counteract these tactics. An experienced West Palm Beach family attorney can help keep pressure on the opposing party, and will advise you on the best course of action.

For example, to address immediate needs and ensure stability, you can seek temporary orders for child support, spousal support, and use of marital assets. This can relieve financial pressure and may encourage your spouse to proceed. Plus, a court can set firm deadlines for responses and submissions, making it harder for your spouse to continue with their stalling. Missing these deadlines can result in penalties or adverse judgments.

Have you been working to get a divorce agreement completed but feel you are running into opposition from your soon-to-be-ex spouse? By working with the legal team at Bruce S. Rosenwater & Associates, you can counteract delay tactics and ensure the process moves forward. Remember, every step you take brings you closer to the fresh start you deserve. Schedule your confidential consultation today.